By David Parsons
Michael Duff has admitted he has two different plans for Joel Piroe – and one involves re-building Swansea City without the Dutch striker.
New Swans head coach Duff would like to hold on to the club’s biggest asset, but is realistic that the club will sell if they receive a tempting offer.
Piroe scored 20 goals last season and 24 for the club in his first – firepower that has alerted a number of clubs in the Premier League and the Championship.
Swansea’s Championship rivals Leicester City and Southampton are known to be interested in Piroe and Duff said: “I had some good conversations with Joel at our training camp in Spain last week and he was asking about detail what I want from him.
“Until anything changes we will keep on having those conversations. If he goes, he goes, and if he doesn’t he stays – it is not personal, it’s football.
“I understand he’s the big name at the club and only has a year left on his contract. There will be plans in place in terms of the way we play if he stays, and plans for if he goes.”
🗣️ “I understand there is an expectation”
New Swansea City head coach Michael Duff says he intends to find the right balance between playing attractive football while ensuring they win games ⚽#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/YMGpJpBf6b
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) July 1, 2023
As Duff prepares for his opening pre-season games in charge, speculation also continues over the futures skipper Matt Grimes and centre back pairing Nathan Wood and Ben Cabango.
Duff and his new coaching team spent five days with the squad in La Finca, near Alicante, last week working on fitness and will get his first home session on Monday.
Only a month ago The former Northern Ireland international was managing Barnsley in the League One play-off final at Wembley, but now has six weeks to prepare for his Championship bow as a manager against Birmingham City on 5 August.
“The week was great for me because it gave me the chance to put names to faces. I knew a lot of the players, but there were a lot of younger ones with us who were new to me,” said Duff.
“I was able to get an idea of the way they play and their personalities, so it has been a really beneficial first week. It was a big operation with the number of staff we had, but it allowed me to get a real feel for the club.
“I was able to get my hands dirty with a bit of coaching and get a few droplets of information over, although nothing too detailed at this time stage.
“I feel as though I’ve got a pretty good idea of what we’ve got and what we don’t have from a footballing point of view. The attitude of the players has been great.
“They had double sessions every day and gym in the afternoon, and their application was first class. Some of the running was hard but that’s what pre-season is all about.”
Two years ago today;
Swansea City completed the signing of Dutch forward Joel Piroe from PSV for £1M.
Games – 92
Goals – 44
Assists – 8
South Wales Derby Goals – 2Money well spent. One of the best bits of business this club has ever done.
No Piroe (Price) No Party. 🦢🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/yVEuRvGq5E
— Jordan (@JordanWebber96) July 2, 2023
The trip also allowed Duff to introduce his two new assistants, Martin Paterson and Alan Sheehan, to the 25-strong group of players who went to Spain.
“Alan and Martin are two good people who have been on completely different coaching journeys. They will add detail to the coaching,” added Duff.
“They didn’t know each other before we went to Spain, so it was good they got to spend a lot of time together during the week. We were able to thrash out different systems, different ways of playing, and plan coaching sessions.
“I worked with ‘Pato’ last year, so I know his personality. Alan is very much of the same ilk and we’ll work together as a group, along with Kris O’Leary.”
New Swansea City Boss Michael Duff Promises To “Evolve” Team’s Style Of Play